Kim Yong-nam visits KRB

Kim Yong-nam visits KRB

BOGOR: As part of his official visit to Indonesia, South
Korean President Kim Yong-nam toured Bogor Botanical Gardens
(KRB) to have a close look at the Dendrobium Kim Il-sung orchid,
named after his predecessor, who received the species of orchid
from then Indonesian President Sukarno in 1965.

According to garden spokesperson Sugiarti, Kim Il-sung was the
prime minister when he met with Sukarno.

"The Dendrobium Kim Il-sung species was discovered by an
Indonesian botanist from Makassar, South Sulawesi. The newly
found species had not yet been named when Kim Il-sung visited the
garden," she said.

However, the orchid was flown to South Korea only ten years
after the two heads of state met. "In 1981 the new species of
orchid was registered at the London botanical body with its
official name Dendrobium Kim Il-sung," Sugiarti explained.

The Bogor Botanical Garden now has 95 Dendrobium Kim Il-sung
orchid plants.

President Kim Yong-nam, accompanied by Indonesian State
Minister for Information and Telecommunications Syamsul Muarif,
West Java Deputy Governor Dana Sudarna and Bogor Mayor H.R.
Iswara Natanegara, also visited the Bogor Presidential Palace.
--JP